Who Draws the Lines? Gerrymandering in the U.S.

Who Draws the Lines? Gerrymandering in the U.S.

Every ten years, voting districts are redrawn using census data. How those lines are drawn—and who draws them—can shape elections, representation, and political power for years to come. The practice known as gerrymandering raises questions across the political spectrum about fairness, accountability, and democratic representation in the United States.

At this meeting, we’ll explore different perspectives on gerrymandering, how people understand its impact, and what values they believe should guide the redistricting process.

We’ll explore questions such as:

• How have you seen district maps influence representation or political outcomes?
• In what ways have you seen gerrymandering used?
• What concerns do you have about how gerrymandering affects elections or representation?
• Which principles—such as fairness, competitiveness, or community representation—matter most to you in redistricting?
• What do you see as better ways to determine congressional districts?

Before this meeting, please take a few minutes to watch the videos below, which explain gerrymandering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGLRJ12uqmk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFeE9UXN6rU
This conversation will offer an opportunity to explore multiple viewpoints and engage respectfully on how representation is shaped through redistricting.

Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.

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